TE/SL: Which Direction?

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SarahZ

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A group I’m part of is planning a TE/SL trip sometime next year.

Given the schedule, which direction is more scenic?

Also, is summer super crowded? It offers the most daylight, but if autumn is cheaper and less crowded, that may be the better option.
 
To clarify, some people will be riding between Dallas and L.A, while others will be riding between New Orleans and L.A.
 
About 4 years ago, on the way to the Gathering, I did the TE/SL westbound in the Fall.  I enjoyed the trip.  Even though it was my first trip on that route, I had an "expert" on the train as a tour guide (Jim).
 
I have ridden the Sunset Limited in both directions, and I don't think the scenery is particularly better one way or the other.  But for my upcoming trip on the Texas Eagle, one reason I am going eastbound is to avoid that 5:35 am (sometimes earlier!!!) arrival in Los Angeles (although a 10 pm departure going east is not ideal). 
 
I prefer 10 p.m. over 5:35 a.m., but I’m a night owl. :)

I’m mostly interested in the portion that borders Mexico, but I believe that’s during the day either way?
 
I prefer 10 p.m. over 5:35 a.m., but I’m a night owl. :)

I’m mostly interested in the portion that borders Mexico, but I believe that’s during the day either way?
Yes, in the day either way, and that is the most interesting scenery (along the Rio Grande), although I find the entire route remarkably varied.  I remember crossing the Pecos River High Bridge westbound, but that is at night eastbound.
 
We’ll probably end up going westbound. Some pointed out that the 5:35 arrival makes it super easy for those who want to catch a flight home the same day. :)  
 
Traveling westbound, you will cross the Pecos High Bridge in "daylight"...about sunrise. Pretty spectacular! Eastbound, that will be a nighttime crossing. Other than that, I like the SL either direction. In October, we rode the SL out of LA to NOL...pretty nice trip. LA is my home station so, the early morning arrival is ok as I'm headed to the car for the drive home!
 
I've only traveled east bound but I think it's a toss up. I found the changing terrain interesting. If I may make a suggestion, forget Phillipes, Try Olvera street.
 
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Eastbound!!!!!!!!! That arrival time in LAX is absolutely horrible. And I honestly really like the 10:00 PM departure out of LAX. There's just something about boarding a 2,700 mile route and settling into a sleeper late at night. But that could just be me. :)
 
I prefer 10 p.m. over 5:35 a.m., but I’m a night owl. :)

I’m mostly interested in the portion that borders Mexico, but I believe that’s during the day either way?
It is indeed during the day either way. But the great thing about the eastbound is that you wake up wizzing through the dessert, which is a really cool feeling. On the westbound you're really going through cities when you wake up. Not a huge thing, but for me the little things really add up. 
 
Eastbound!!!!!!!!! That arrival time in LAX is absolutely horrible. And I honestly really like the 10:00 PM departure out of LAX. There's just something about boarding a 2,700 mile route and settling into a sleeper late at night. But that could just be me. :)
A late train will fix that early arrival into LAX. :giggle:

I too like the 10PM departure.
 
The arrival/departure times aren't the greatest on this route in/out of Los Angeles. In March, I'm taking the SL to San Antonio, which means leaving Los Angeles 10 PM and arriving in San Antonio around 5 AM two days later. Coming home, as noted, we'll arrive in Los Angeles around 5 AM as well. We are taking the Metrolink to and from LA Union Station; the local Metrolink station is only a mile or so from our home. Depending on where you are heading once you arrive in LA, Metrolink can be a very good option for getting there, and you're already in Union Station, so it's easy to hop on the local train.

I'm glad to hear there is some nice scenery along the route. I kind of thought that wasn't the case on this line. Of course, I enjoy staring out the train window no matter what, but it's so awesome while passing through a beautiful or interesting area.
 
I'm glad to hear there is some nice scenery along the route. I kind of thought that wasn't the case on this line. Of course, I enjoy staring out the train window no matter what, but it's so awesome while passing through a beautiful or interesting area.
The Eagle itself (SAS-CHI) has quite "blah" scenery basically the whole way. It's a nice train with great staff but there's just not much to look at. But for anyone who can appreciate deserts, cool rock formations and tiny ghost towns, the Sunset Limited (at least west of San Antonio) is arguably one of Amtrak's most scenic routes.
 
A late train will fix that early arrival into LAX. :giggle:

I too like the 10PM departure.
Unfortunately, the times I've ridden it into LA it's been more likely to be early. There are no stops at which the train has to hold for time after Palm Springs (at 2:02 a.m.), and there's not a lot of traffic through the yards and such at that hour of the morning. Enjoy your four a.m. wake-up call! (At least you'll only have an hour to kill in the main waiting room if you're a sleeper passenger...the lounge opens at five!)
 
I too prefer westbound.

The Pacos High Bridge West of San Antonio will be in daylight (as opposed to darkness eastbound). The border at El Paso is daytime either direction. I don’t mind the early LA arrival - by the time you “wake up” enough to walk a few blocks, it’s time to walk to Phillipes for breakfast.
 
I've only done eastbound, but I was sad not to see the Huey P. Long Trestle in daylight.  The desert landscapes on this route are great. I did a fairly long set of two posts under Travelogues here if you want a sense of what the trip is like.
 
Thanks, everyone. I enjoyed the travelogues and pictures. I’m excited for the trip.

Also, I realized I’ll still be on Eastern time, so the early morning arrival won’t be as terrible as I thought. I tend to wake up (naturally) between 6-7 whenever I visit the West Coast. It’s such a weird feeling. [emoji1]
 
I'm a 'night person' myself, so 10PM is a much nicer departure time than 5:30AM arrival.  I've done it both ways multiple times.  Next April, I'm going to 'press my luck' and connect from the Starlight 9PM arrival for the 10PM departure.

If you book to ride in the 'through' sleeper (train #421/422), you'll be in the last car leaving LA.  I did that in May '17 and took a number of pictures from the rear window of the sleeper as we left LA.  Here's a couple - 

IMG_0393.JPG

IMG_0410.JPG
 
Yeah, definitely make sure you're booked on #422, since you do not want to have to transfer in the middle of the night in San Antonio. Unfortunately, #422  consists solely of one coach and one sleeper, so it might be difficult for you all to find good fares.
 
If you book to ride in the 'through' sleeper (train #421/422), you'll be in the last car leaving LA.  I did that in May '17 and took a number of pictures from the rear window of the sleeper as we left LA.
I love that first picture, with the Union Station platforms in the middle distance. It's just too bad you don't really get any of the downtown L.A. skyline from that angle.
 
We’re planning to ride westbound. The ease of booking same-day flights home is a huge draw for those not vacationing on the west coast.

The departure cities will likely vary, so we’ll just meet up in the SSL rather than try to get everyone in the same sleeper. [emoji4]

Thanks for all of the pics, video, and feedback. I always enjoy reading/viewing travelogues.
 
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